Bill Guerin Promoted to President of Hockey Operations for Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild are 169-90-30 in four seasons with Bill Guerin running the show as General Manager and, on Tuesday, owner Craig Leipold announced his promotion to President of Hockey Operations.

The step up in title comes as part of a new 5-year contract that kicked in on July 1, according to Michael Russo (The Athletic). The team will not hire another GM to work under him. He will take on both PoHO and GM duties.

Minnesota Wild General Manager Bill Guerin will add President of Hockey Operations to his title, an executive advisory role in addition to his team-development duties. Under his impressive leadership, the Wild achieved consecutive 100-point seasons for the second time in franchise history and have qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs all four seasons, while amassing a top-ranked prospect pool and balancing challenging salary cap constraints. Guerin will continue to report to Leipold in his expanded role. 

Minnesota Wild Press Release

Bill Guerin promoted without much for new responsibility

It doesn’t appear as if Guerin will have any new responsibilities after his upgrade in title. After all, he was already running the entire organization, when it comes to hockey operations. But it should keep other teams from hiring him away with a fancy title that he didn’t already have with the Wild.

It’s good to see Guerin and the Wild commit to the long term, given the stress he has assumed and helped produce, by releasing Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to assume upwards of $15 million per season in dead cap, which will be the hit they take during the upcoming season.

“Four years ago, Bill brought his championship pedigree to our organization and the improvements he’s made to our hockey team and organization are self-evident,” said Leipold. “The results are both tangible and intangible and he continues to demonstrate his talent for building a Stanley Cup contending team. We are excited about what the future holds for fans in the State of Hockey.”

Craig Leipold via Wild PR

I think I speak for all Minnesota Wild fans when I say, give Billy G whatever money and whatever title necessary. I’ve never felt better about the long term future of this franchise than I do now, with him at the helm.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan